Network Archives

The Eric Holder Memorandum on Mandatory Minimum Sentences, Explained

"In short, the Holder Memorandum directs prosecutors to prevent application of mandatory minimum sentences for a select group of less-culpable defendants. Isn't this A good thing? Yes, with a but. It's a good thing that the Jane Does of the world can be sentenced according to the judge's discretion and not according to mandatory minimum sentences. A lot of low-level, unsophisticated, and hapless mules and mopes and dupes will get far lower sentences, which is both just and less expensive for you, the taxpayer. But I'm not happy that the methodology for the change is a fairly dramatic expansion of prosecutorial discretion." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe Eric Holder Memorandum on Mandatory Minimum Sentences, Explained

Why does America have such a big prison population?

"America has around 5% of the world’s population, and 25% of its prisoners. Roughly one in every 107 American adults is behind bars, a rate nearly five times that of Britain, seven times that of France and 24 times that of India. Its prison population has more than tripled since 1980. The growth rate has been even faster in the federal prison system: from around 24,000—its level, more or less, from the 1940s until the early 1980s—to more than 219,000 today. Probably the biggest driver of this growth has been ever-harsher drug penalties." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWhy does America have such a big prison population?

Former Obama Supporter Oliver Stone: Obama Is A ‘Snake’; ‘We Have To Turn On Him’

"Film director Oliver Stone—who has made no secret of his liberal political views—called President Barack Obama a 'snake' for his role in National Security Agency spying programs that have become, he said, more about silencing protestors than finding terrorists. Stone said that admitted NSA leaker Edward Snowden 'is a hero to me. He sacrificed his well-being for the good of us all.' Stone also called Snowden a hero last month and said it’s 'a disgrace that Obama is more concerned with hunting him down Snowden than reforming these George Bush-style eavesdropping techniques.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFormer Obama Supporter Oliver Stone: Obama Is A ‘Snake’; ‘We Have To Turn On Him’

“We’re building a domestic army”: Marine Corps Colonel speaks out

"Marine Corp Colonel speaks out at a local council meeting about the militarization of our police forces on 08/12/13 at 41 Green St, Concord, NH 03301. Read more about the City of Concord's bid for an attack vehicle to use against peaceful groups at http://www.FreeStateProject.org " Continue reading →

Continue Reading“We’re building a domestic army”: Marine Corps Colonel speaks out

Obamacare Provision: “Forced” Home Inspections

"The Health and Human Services’ website states that your family will be targeted if you fall under the 'high-risk' categories below: Families where mom is not yet 21; Families where someone is a tobacco user; Families where children have low student achievement, developmental delays, or disabilities; Families with individuals who are serving or formerly served in the armed forces, including such families that have members of the armed forces who have had multiple deployments outside the United States. In 2011, the HHS announced $224 million will be given to support evidence-based home visiting programs to 'help parents and children.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingObamacare Provision: “Forced” Home Inspections

“They Kidnapped Our Child”: Why CPS Needs Transparency Now

"In April 2013, police officers and a social worker from Sacramento County's Child Protective Services entered the home of Anna and Alex Nikolayev and took their baby, Sammy, away from them. They had no warrant. 'What they'd done was, basically, kidnapped our child with the help of police,' says Alex Nikolayev. The young, first-time parents were not notified of where Sammy was being taken and wouldn't find out for a full 24 hours. The dispute stemmed from the parents' desire to obtain a second medical opinion before subjecting Sammy to major heart surgery." Continue reading →

Continue Reading“They Kidnapped Our Child”: Why CPS Needs Transparency Now

Firefighter handcuffed and threatened with taser for waving at police while black

"Evansville firefighter George Madison Jr. has filed a formal complaint about an Evansville Police Department officer who he said stopped him during a bicycle ride Tuesday afternoon, threatened him with a stun gun and handcuffed him. The father of four said he feared for his safety during the stop by two officers on South Weinbach Avenue. 'I remember looking down the barrel of a Taser, because (the officer) was gritting his teeth and saying, ‘Don’t make me pull this trigger,’' Madison said Wednesday afternoon. Evansville Police Chief Bolin told Madison the department would 'look into it.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFirefighter handcuffed and threatened with taser for waving at police while black

White House rejects petition calling for ‘Gun Free Zone’ around Obama, Biden

"President Obama needs armed security because he faces 'serious, persistent and credible threats on a daily basis,' the White House said in response to a petition meant to undercut his push for new gun controls. The petition garnered more than 40,000 signatures. The White House dismissed the call to disarm the president's security detail, noting that Congress mandated full-time protection of the president after the third assassination of a sitting president in 1901. 'Those who are the subject of ongoing threats must receive the necessary and appropriate protection,' the White House wrote in its response." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingWhite House rejects petition calling for ‘Gun Free Zone’ around Obama, Biden

Here’s What It’s Like To Buy Drugs On Three Anonymous Online Black Markets

"The hardest part of scoring drugs in the age of the digital black market? Choosing among all the consumer-friendly websites ready to sell them. Our results were mixed, and far from scientific, since we made only one buy per site, and each site hosts dozens or hundreds of vendors. (The sites’ third-party seller model is more akin to eBay and Etsy than Amazon or Zappos.) We also couldn’t test the quality of the products–Our lawyer insisted we destroy them. (See video below.) But this much is clear: the age of narcotics e-commerce has arrived." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHere’s What It’s Like To Buy Drugs On Three Anonymous Online Black Markets

Former narcotics officer: We terrorized families over a bag of pot

"'Searching the house, I noticed the kids had straight ‘A’ report cards, the parent’s checkbook was balanced, and I realized that something was amiss, something was really bad.' 'I put it together years later, after I started smoking pot,' he confessed. 'You know, a lot of people report that the use of that medication helps a person self-reflect. And, wow, the veil came off and then I started doing the real research for myself instead of believing the propaganda. And I cried for a year after I found out the truth and what I had been involved in.'" Continue reading →

Continue ReadingFormer narcotics officer: We terrorized families over a bag of pot